To meet the exigencies and challenges of a highly sophisticated and technologically improved global world Government must stay on the cutting edge. There needs to be a change.

Prudent financial management requires that we do not live beyond our means.

Yet we must reorganise, restructure and revitalise the Government machinery so we are more successful in carrying out our many tasks.

A PLP Government will demonstrate its ability to manage the economy by inaugurating a new era in which employers and employees will cooperate in a joint effort to provide for the future well being of Bermudians both born and unborn.

It will work towards seeing that there is greater job security, moving away from a situation where redundancies and joblessness are becoming commonplace in Bermuda, and see that productivity is increased, and a better return realised on our investments.

We wish to foster a climate where one can see an increase in the level of savings, and where the level of individual home-ownerships can be increased even further. A PLP Government will strive to ensure that savers can see their hard-earned sacrifices rewarded, and they can provide for their future retirement and security through viable pension schemes.

ECONOMIC PROJECTIONS Our fundamental answer to the economic problems is full employment without inflation through economic growth.

The attainment of real economic growth as measured by growth in the Gross Domestic Product would be of three percent per annum. This would be met by stimulating key economic areas such as tourism and international business. All unemployment, except structural unemployment, should then fall to pre-recession levels.

Price stability is forecast, with inflation forecast to remain under 3.0% and continually below 3 percent for most of the 1990s. Low and stable growth in prices is seen by the Government in waiting as a key source of higher productivity which, in time, will boost Bermuda's international competitiveness.

EXPENDITURE CONTROL The PLP reconfirms its commitment to expenditure control. Additional measures will in no way be allowed to impact adversely on the quality of services.

However, we would propose spending cuts or limitation of spending growth in Government.

HOUSING AUTHORITY ASSISTANCE A PLP Government will investigate and review the existing Home Buyers' assistance plan. Both newly constructed and existing houses will qualify for this an incentive.

AID TO SMALL BUSINESS Small business is the backbone of the Bermudian economy, with unique strengths and problems which must be recognised and addressed. To further enhance the success of small businesses, the PLP would totally restructure the Small Business Development Corporation.

LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS A PLP Government is committed to full employment without inflation. We will seek to provide more jobs, increase the standard of living, and ensure equitable treatment on the job for all workers.

Further, we will review all tax measures, including annual license fees, being mindful that tax rate reductions, where applicable, will generate increases in economic growth, output, and income which will ultimately generate increased revenues.

TOURISM Tourism remains a vital part of the bedrock of Bermuda's economy, yet received very short shrift in the 1993 Throne Speech. Aside from the reference to the new St. George's cruise ship, there are only two casual references to tourism in the entire speech -- one in connection with the Commission on Competitiveness, the other concerning education.

OPPOSITION BLAST GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR TOURISM Opposition blast government plans for tourism stagnation in Government's Tourism policies, allowing many of our competitors to gain a jump on us in several key marketing areas.

The PLP's 1993 Election Platform provided a plan to improve the performance of our Tourism industry, and we intend to ensure that Government's policy of benign neglect does not continue.

While Government has given token agreement to several PLP tourism planks, including the boosting of funding for European tourism promotion and the provision of a dedicated cruise ship for St. George's, these alone will be insufficient to provide the long-term turn-around that is needed. We still have a very long way to go before we return to the arrival figures of 1980, which topped 600,000, and specifically, to return to the former buoyancy of air arrivals, as opposed to cruise arrivals. This is particularly true when one looks at the erosion in length of stay and actual cumulative hotel bed nights.

Increased funding of advertising and on-the-ground sales promotion is needed in both the North American and European markets, with emphasis on targeting special interest groups. The development of a cooperative air charter programme in concert with European tour operators is imperative.

Further tax incentives affecting our tourism industry, with particular emphasis on the seasonality of our industry, must be provided. Greater promotional emphasis must be given to our small guest properties, and a greater focus brought by the Department of Tourism in promoting our group, convention and incentive business. A proper, comprehensive destination marketing plan tailored to the needs of the East End must also be implemented to capitalise on the new cruise ship, and aid in the reopening of the Club Med property.

Equally importantly, the morale of Bermudians in the tourism industry must be bolstered. It is not good enough for Government to merely refer to the need to "take advantage of increased opportunities'' in its Throne Speech, without working to provide proper role models for young Bermudians in the uppermost ranks of Bermuda's hotel management, and providing a practical link between tourism studies in elementary and secondary schools, and the Bermuda College.

Greater support must be given to Bermudian entertainers in the industry as well.

The Shadow Minister of Tourism will enlarge on these and other points during the general debate.

DELEGATED AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS We complained earlier this year when the UBP Government cut back on the Police budget to the point of causing a reduction in the number of constables and police cadet placements. During the campaign we promised a redeployment of the police officers to reduce those doing work which can be done by civilians. We promised to reinstate the Parish Constable in each Parish.

The whole matter of crime would be seriously readdressed by a PLP Government, especially crime related child abuse, offences against women and crimes associated with the misuse of drugs.

The UBP Government have promised the Children's Protection Act for nearly a decade now. This Throne Speech makes a further promise but it is not listed as one of the Bills given priority for this coming legislative year.

The Tumin Report, which is already gathering dust, has been neglected by the UBP Government. There are no announced plans to implement those aspects of the report which deal with police and the courts.

The Speech talks about using the alternatives to prison set out in the Report but there is still insufficient money and manpower committed to community service.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS I stated earlier that it is our intention to assist the elderly with their medical drugs by making Government drugs easier to obtain. We further intend to focus attention on the distribution and cost of medical drugs in the community.

The problems faced by persons with a disability especially those with an hearing impairment are not properly addressed in the Throne Speech or the Blueprint.

Our intention is to keep the problems of this group in focus so that improvements in laws affecting them can occur.

CULTURE Our platform made many promises in the area of Culture. We believe that the proper enhancement of our culture will lead to a more cohesive Bermuda and promote better understanding amongst all the people of Bermuda.

We believe that we can immediately introduce elements of local culture in our hotels, ranging from local bands and entertainers to art shows as well as recognising outstanding Bermudian leaders and events of the past through commemoration on postage stamps, coins and bank notes.

HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING The social agenda of the UBP has come piecemeal over the years. Attempts to implement PLP initiatives without the benefit of our input has left many programmes lacking.

Housing continues to be critical to Bermudians. The number of rental units on the market reflect that there has to be mounting concern not just for the landlords, but for tenants who cannot afford the comfort of affordable and adequate facilities.

Housing, a basic human right, has not been addressed in the Throne Speech, and this area, which has the greatest impact on family life, must be continuously brought to the fore.

The family agenda must be brought forward whilst we continue to focus on our youth. We must not forget that many adults are falling through the cracks with the attendant break up of the family.

Government's call for a review of Social Services is late and it comes following the prompting by the PLP that programmes in this area are sadly lacking. A review of the Budget for this fiscal year illustrates that the manpower and programmes for this Department are not viable in the constantly changing social environment in Bermuda. Adequate care for our elderly must be addressed, with facilities and functions that have been called for in Government's own studies. This growing population also has not been addressed in the legislative agenda of Government.

There are numerous cases of pending evictions, and stress created by the criteria now in place at Social Assistance. A number of people are not in tune with new procedures, and a number of recipients have debts and arrears that they are not able to address. The object of Social Assistance must be to assist those deserving of it and to address the social concerns of those clients.

The new prison is shaping up to be an institution of punitive rather the rehabilitative reform. The latest setbacks come on the heels of a Government statement just ten days ago that the project was on line for opening. Again the Budget restraints of 1993-94 do not facilitate the reforms in programmes that are needed, and the favourite Government cliche of having people involved in the process has simply not happened.

The lack of health care by Government is not addressed in the Throne Speech or its Blueprint. Children have been reported as having to wait up to a year for dental services, and certain other health services.

Government's new agenda leaves behind the family, the one institution that needs the most attention in Bermuda.

ENVIRONMENT Mr. Speaker, the PLP will monitor closely the UBP Government to ensure that Bermuda's environment and ecology are adequately protected for present and future generations of Bermudians. It is important that we provide living and recreational space for Bermudians as well as an attractive tourism destination and a sound foundation for the development of ecological tourism.

Mr. Speaker, in 1972 the PLP Election Platform talked of the need for "balance between economic expansion and the country's natural resources'', even while the UBP Government embarked on an unprecedented, haphazard expansion of the international business industry without thought to the impact on the housing situation to locals or the ability of local training and manpower to keep pace.

Mr. Speaker, the failure of the UBP in this regard continues to bedevil the country and create social tensions years later. Mr. Speaker, the PLP called for the lead to be given for the development of inexpensive public transportation to "lead the way for a reduction in the number of private cars on our roads'' -- another challenge yet to be effectively addressed by successive UBP Governments.

Mr. Speaker, the PLP renews its call for a review of the fishpot ban, and urges the UBP Government to support Bermuda's fishermen in efforts to develop deep sea fisheries on a solid commercial basis. Bermuda's moral obligation to ensure its environment and ecology survive intact into the next century will be a fundamental concern of the PLP during this session of Parliament We in the PLP recognise that such programmes are most likely to succeed if the UBP Government creates a partnership with the public, and bring them along step-by-step with evolving environment policies.

WORKS & ENGINEERING A PLP Government in waiting views this important Ministry as one which in addition to providing some very essential services, offers real opportunity for growth in jobs. Jobs that will place many of those who are presently unemployed due to the recession in productive work.

We note that a number of primary and secondary roads, because of excessive and ongoing foliage growth, need manpower to trim them not only for aesthetic reasons but also because present conditions make both pedestrian and vehicular traffic unsafe.

This Ministry also offers the opportunity for an upgrading of the road improvements programme, including provisions for further sidewalks in high-density areas.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS A PLP Government will encourage the provision of a wide range of cultural and educational radio and television programming, with a particular emphasis on promoting the local cultural identity, either through existing stations, or an unused cable channel.

NEW INDUSTRIES AND TECHNOLOGIES The PLP will push for a study to be launched to investigate new secondary light industries that can be established to further diversify our economy, provide employment for Bermudians, and enhance our foreign revenue earnings.

In 1979 the PLP was the first organisation in Bermuda to introduce a plan to make the country an international hub of computer data dissemination, linked to major world-wide computer banks. Such an industry complements closely the existing international company industry, and would enhance Bermuda's role as an international business centre. Other groups benefiting from such an enterprise would include research groups, medical foundations, universities, national governments, etc. This plan continues to be PLP policy.

Development of this new industry would be concurrent with the training of Bermudians in the appropriate high technology skills, and ensure a new wave of highly skilled jobs for the incoming generation, while placing little strain on Bermuda's existing infrastructure.

YOUTH, SPORT & RECREATION We note that the UBP Government have adopted a whole new set of promises in this Throne Speech. The old promises have been abandoned and put out to pasture. The new language refers to youth summits as opposed to a Youth Advisory Committee. That Government has no commitment to the youth of Bermuda was exposed by their systematic exclusion from participation in the General Election, clear proof of Government's intentions regarding young people.

The Blueprint promised to reduce the age of majority, but there is no such promise in the Throne Speech.

A PLP Government would introduce a full-fledged National Youth Corps.

Government have now adopted our programme, but seem to be taking a piecemeal approach in that they only plan certain limited activities.

The Throne Speech is silent regarding the National Stadium. There is one line in the Blueprint regarding the same.

TRANSPORT With closure of the United States Base and the Bermuda Government assumption of new responsibility at the airport, our Ministry of Transport takes on added importance. We note that it is still Government's intention to set up the new Airport Authority. We reiterate our objections to handing over the civil airport to the private sector, and will resist this move to the hilt.

We expect that during the next two years there will be delicate negotiations with the United States Government regarding all aspects of the hand-over of the US Navy's functions to Bermuda. We believe that this must be Government to Government, not to some Bermuda Government delegate in the form of a QUANGO.

A PLP Government would see that regional mini-bus services would provide greater, more convenient range of public transportation, and a disincentive to the growth of private car ownership; and provide free public bus service to senior citizens.

An increase in parking facilities where possible at ferry docks, to encourage commuters to use these facilities to a greater degree would be investigated.

We would also work with the Corporation of Hamilton to develop further peripheral parking, and provide a mini-bus shuttle between such car-parks and downtown areas, to reduce traffic congestion.

We would encourage the development of pedestrian streets where appropriate in urban areas.

Mr. Speaker I have concluded the enunciation of our proposals, and I have examined Government's proposals, and now it remains for us in the Progressive Labour Party to ensure that the Bermudian people get the good Government that they deserve.

We believe that this means the adoption of our sound proposals, i.e., the PLP's handbook for the 90's.

We are confident that our new beginningis what the people want and is what Bermuda needs.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Bermuda can rest assured that we will be vigilant, aggressive and protective of their best interests. We are confident that when the next opportunity occurs, this present caretaker Government will give way to Bermuda's first Progressive Labour Party Government.

Mr. Frederick Wade